So, I went to Peterson's pipe shop today after getting a full tour of the city. Dublin is nice city and I hope to return someday after this quick business trip weekend. Ireland has a wonderful pipe making and smoking history. In the Guinness factory I saw a 1960's commercial wherein a man is prominently smoking a pipe. The cab driver was clearly proud of Peterson's being an Irish company. And, there are many pictures of pipe smoking leprechauns around the city. However, as with everywhere, the no smoking laws and extremely excessive tobacco taxes will probably take their toll.
As for the shop itself, it is small but nice. The folks working there were extremely helpful. Their pipe inventory was low (smokingpipes.com has a larger Peterson's inventory in my opinion). However, this was made up by the fact that EVERYTHING in the store was 20% off! With their already cheaper prices and when you get a VAT refund, the pipes in here were inexpensive. (Just don't buy tobacco. It's easily double what you pay in the U.S.)
I went full on with the first pipe. A system standard P-lip donegal rocky! You can't get much more Peterson than that. I also bought a higher grade Rosslare having silver on the stem and bit. I think I'll go back tomorrow. I had my eye on the 2012 pipe of the year. I mean it is 20% off.
As for the shop itself, it is small but nice. The folks working there were extremely helpful. Their pipe inventory was low (smokingpipes.com has a larger Peterson's inventory in my opinion). However, this was made up by the fact that EVERYTHING in the store was 20% off! With their already cheaper prices and when you get a VAT refund, the pipes in here were inexpensive. (Just don't buy tobacco. It's easily double what you pay in the U.S.)
I went full on with the first pipe. A system standard P-lip donegal rocky! You can't get much more Peterson than that. I also bought a higher grade Rosslare having silver on the stem and bit. I think I'll go back tomorrow. I had my eye on the 2012 pipe of the year. I mean it is 20% off.
:
